Fuse-plug



W. R. BENNINGTON.

FUSE PLUG.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 13 I919.

1,380,46 1 Patented June 7, 1 921.

UNITED STATES WILLARD R. BENNINGTON, or XENIA, OHIO.

rUsE-r Ue. j

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented J 11110 *7, 1.921.

Application filed October 13, 1919. Serial No. 330,286.

To all w ham it may concern Be it known that I, WILLARD R. BENNING- TON a citizen of the United States, residing at Xenia, in the county of Greene and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fuse-Plugs, of which the following is a specification.

' My invention relates to electrical fuses, and particularly to a fuse of the inclosed or cartridge type.

' The object of the invention is to improve the structure of such devices, whereby they Willnot only be cheapened in construction, but will be more efficient in use, positive in action, economical to manufacture, and unlikely to get out of repair.

One of the primary objects of the present invention is to provide'a fuse block having a minimum number of joints or connections, and in which the necessary joints are readily accessible during the process of manufacture. y

A further object of the invention is to provide improved protective means for the fuse element.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved form of contact by which the fuse element is brought directly into the electrical circuit, and to further arrange such contact in relation with the fuse element, as to insure ample-current carrying "capacity under normal conditions and such as will afford a prompt response to the fuse plug to abnormal or excessive current.

WVith the above primary and other incidental objects in view as will more fully appear in the specification, the invention consists of the features of construction, the parts and combinations thereof, and the mode of operation, or their equivalents, as hereinafter described and set forth in the claims.

Referring to the drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improved form of fuse plugs forming the subject matter hereof. Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view thereof.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view thereof. Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail view illustrating two features of modification. Figs; 5 and 6 are detail views of further modifications.

Like parts are indicated by similar characters of reference'throughout the several views.

In constructing the fuse plug there is emconditions.

ployed a metallic sleeve 1 having helicalv corrugations or, screw threads 2, by which the completed fuse plug maybe detachably engaged in'the usual socket. This corrugated jacket or sleeve 1 is open at its opposite ends, the inner end of the sleeve being slightly inturned or flanged. Inserted in the sleeve or jacket 1 and engaging the inturned or flanged end thereof is a disk-like insulating element 3. This disk-like'insulator 3 may be of asbestos, fiber, composition or other material possessing the necessary dielectric properties, but is preferably though not necessarily of mica. The insulating disk 3 whether of mica or other material is provided with a central opening 4. Extending transversely across the sl eve or' jacket. 1 adjacentto the-inner side of the insulating disk 3 is the fuse element 5 which is preferably though .not-necessarily of ribbon-like form, and is produced from an easily fusible metal. The size and gage of the fuse link.

or element is proportioned in accordance with the current to be carried under normal The size and character of the fuse link is such that upon the passage of current in excess of the predetermined amperage or of a short circuit the fuse link will be melted, thus opening the electrical system. This'is of course the usual mode of operation of any fuse plug. Inserted within the jacket or sleeve 1 beyond the fuse link is a second insulating body 6. This insulating body 6 may be of any suitable material, but is preferably formed from porcelain or other plastic material molded in strain the shell orjacket. However, in lieuof a molded porcelain insulator, a removable insert of porcelain or other material may be provided which may be screwed into the jacket or sleeve 1 andby its removal'afford access to the fuse element 5 for insertion or renewal. Whatever the character of the insulator 6 maybe and whether the insulator is permanently embedded in the sleeve or jacket 1, or is detachable therefrom, the fuse link 5 is interposed between this insulator 6 and the disk-like insulator 3. The fuse link is electrically connected at its opposite ends with the interior of the sleeve or jacket l by pressure contact, soldering or by other suitable means of attachment. The fuse plug being thus assembled with the fuse link interposed between successive insulating elements and with its ends electrically confore mentioned, the fuse element or ribbon 5 is formed with a medial fold 8 which is projected through a central opening in the insulating disk 3 and subsequently flattened to form a plait as at 8. This projecting bight of the fuse element performs the functions of one contact or terminal. The opening in the insulating disk 3 in this instance may be in the form of a slot in lieu of the round opening shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The fuse element extends transversely across the plug with its opposite ends attached to-the sleeve orjacket 1 and is interposed between the insulators 3 and 6 as before described. The insulator 6 may extend into close proximity with the fuse element or ribbon 5 as 'shown in Fig. 3 or in either form of construction it may be spaced away from the fuse element and insulator 3 to form an intermedlate chamber or an gap as shown at "9 in Fig. 4.

In the event that the insulating element 3 is made of greater thickness'than shown in Figs. 3 and 4 a contact or terminal stud or button 10 may be employed which extends through the central opening in the insulating element 3*, and is electrically engaged with the fuse element or ribbon 5 at a medial point in lieu of theglobule of solder or the integral fold or plait as before described.

In F 1g. 6, there is shown a further modification, 1n whlch the fuse element is corrugated or bent intoa succession of bights,

one of' which coincides with the central 7 opening in the insulator 3 and may extend therethrough to afford a compressible contact or terminal, or the fuse link may be provided with a deposit of solder as before described and shown in Figs. 1 and 2, which deposit will project through the insulator to afford the contact surface.

From the above description it will be apparent that there is thus provided a device of the character described possessing the particular features of advantage before enumerated as desirable, but which obviously 'is susceptible of modification in its form,

proportions, detail construction and arrangement of parts without departlng from the principle involved or sacrificing any of I its advantages. 7

While in order to comply with the statute the invention has been described language more or less specific as to structural features, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific details shown, but that the means and construction herein disclosed comprise the preferred modes of putting the invention into effect, and the invention is therefore claimed in anyof its forms or modifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a-fuse plug, a metallic jacket, separate insulating elements connected in spaced relation by said jacket, one of the insulating elements having a central opening therein, and transversely arranged fuse link inerposed between the insulating elements having its opposite ends electrically connected with the jacket the medial portion of the fuse link being exposed through the central opening in one of the insulating elements.

2; In a fuse plug, a metallic sleeve, a disk of insulating material forming a terminal closure for the sleeve and having a central opening therein, a fuse link extending transversely across the sleeve adjacent to said disk with its medial portion exposed through the opening in the disk.

3. In a fuse plug, a body of insulating material, a metallic'sleeve extending therebeyond, a second insulator inclosed within 7 the extension of the sleeve having a central opening, a fuse link extending transversely across the sleeve between the bodies of insulating material with its opposite ends electrically connected with the sleeve and a projection on the fuse link extending through the opening in the insulator.

' 4. In a fuse plug, two circular concentrically arranged bodies of insulating material,

metallic sleeve inclosing the insulating bodies, a fuse link extending transversely across the sleeve between the insulating bodies with its opposite ends electrically connected withsaid sleeve, said fuse link having 'a contact terminal located at a medial point thereon. In a fuse plug, a metallic sleeve, a fuse link extending transversely across the sleeve with" its opposite ends electrically connected therewith, a body of insulating material overlying the fuse link and having a central opening therein, and a globule of solder deposited upon the fuse link through said central opening to form an electrical contact terminal.

6. In a fuse plug, a metallic sleeve, two bodies of insulating material inclosed therein but separated axially in relation with the plug one from the other to form a transversely arranged intermediate chamber, a fuse link extending through said chamber and having its opposite ends electrically connected with the sleeve, the medial portion of the link being in electrical communication with the exterior of the plug through one of the bodies of insulating material.

7. In a fuse plug, two electrical contacts, a fuse link having its opposite ends electrically connected with one of said contacts and its medial portion electrically connected with the other contact, the fuse link being interposed between two substantially parallel insulating bodies.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 6 day of October, A. D. 1919.

/VILLARD R. BENNINGTON. Witnesses A. F. SNYDER, HENRYETTA T. LOGAN. 

